Time Schedule:
Sarah A. Elwood
GEOG 463
Seattle Campus
Practical experience applying geographic information system (GIS) tools to analyze spatial data. Workshop format requires student-motivated projects; diverse backgrounds encouraged. Prerequisite: either 2.0 in GEOG 460 or 2.0 in GEOG 461. Offered: Sp.
Class description
As the capstone experience in our GIS curriculum, the goal of this course is for you to become an independent and effective GIS user who can develop and use GIS databases for spatial analysis and problem solving, meeting the needs of project partners. The course is an intensive workshop that involves hands-on experience in which student teams will develop GIS analysis and applications in collaboration with local partners (who may be from the University, community agencies, or local government). In contrast to introductory GIS courses (which asks you to build conceptual understanding and applied skills in spatial data representation and manipulation in GIS), this course will involve you in the full range of tasks associated with GIS application: working with your team members and project partners to identify project goals, acquiring and preparing spatial data for GIS analysis, communicating with clients to assess progress, managing spatial data, and producing necessary maps and analyses. In lecture and readings, we will examine GIS project management strategies (in a variety of organizational and application contexts), and concepts and skills for data acquisition, data preparation, and database design.
Student learning goals
Extend your skills in digital data preparation and handling in a GIS environment
Become an independent problem solver in your use of GIS
Gain experience across the full range of steps and tasks involved in GIS application
Develop skills that will help you navigate the 'human' side of successful GIS applications
General method of instruction
Lecture and lab-based project work
Recommended preparation
Geography 460, 461, Urban Design and Planning 422, or permission of the instructor.
Class assignments and grading
